Table 2.

Topics of discussion during interviews and focus groups

PHASE	TOPICS OF DISCUSSION DURING INTERVIEWS AND FOCUS GROUPS
1 (baseline interviews)	Suggested sources of evidence for planning Perspectives on roles of PAs in primary care Perspectives on needed characteristics and qualifications of PAs working in primary care Desired effects of including PAs in primary care Potential challenges and risks associated with introduction of PAs Advice for implementing this initiative Perspectives on the evaluation
2 (introduction of PAs at the 3 initial sites)	Initial expectations of PA introduction What has worked well with implementing this initiative Facilitators of positive introduction Challenges to implementation of this initiative Strategies to avoid and address challenges Changes resulting from PA introduction Advice for future implementation of this initiative
3 (introduction of PAs at the 3 remaining evaluation sites)	Previous evaluation participants: health professionals and steering committee members Response to evaluation findings to date Extent to which initial challenges have been addressed Identification of any new challenges Additional or ongoing supports that are needed How the PA role changed or evolved Overall evaluation of experience with the implementation of this initiative (probe specifics) Overall evaluation of the effects of introducing PAs (probe specifics) Unique aspects of the PA role Advice for Manitoba Health, Healthy Living and Seniors; health regions; and the University of Manitoba New evaluation participants: health professionals and steering committee members Initial expectations What is working well in implementation Challenges to implementation of this initiative Supports needed Changes experienced as a result of PA role at site Overall evaluation of the experience with implementation of this initiative (probe specifics) Overall evaluation of the effects of introducing PAs (probe specifics) Unique aspects of PA role Advice for Manitoba Health, Healthy Living and Seniors; health regions; and the University of Manitoba Patient interviews Satisfaction with care at the clinic or site Satisfaction with physician care Satisfaction with PA care How the experience has changed with introduction of PAs to the site Specific probes (varied by hospital or clinic focus): effects on access, care, time, etc Advice on PA use for Manitoba Health, Healthy Living and Seniors and regions

PHASE

TOPICS OF DISCUSSION DURING INTERVIEWS AND FOCUS GROUPS

1 (baseline interviews)

Suggested sources of evidence for planning
Perspectives on roles of PAs in primary care
Perspectives on needed characteristics and qualifications of PAs working in primary care
Desired effects of including PAs in primary care
Potential challenges and risks associated with introduction of PAs
Advice for implementing this initiative
Perspectives on the evaluation

2 (introduction of PAs at the 3 initial sites)

Initial expectations of PA introduction
What has worked well with implementing this initiative
Facilitators of positive introduction
Challenges to implementation of this initiative
Strategies to avoid and address challenges
Changes resulting from PA introduction
Advice for future implementation of this initiative

3 (introduction of PAs at the 3 remaining evaluation sites)

Previous evaluation participants: health professionals and steering committee members

Response to evaluation findings to date
Extent to which initial challenges have been addressed
Identification of any new challenges
Additional or ongoing supports that are needed
How the PA role changed or evolved
Overall evaluation of experience with the implementation of this initiative (probe specifics)
Overall evaluation of the effects of introducing PAs (probe specifics)
Unique aspects of the PA role
Advice for Manitoba Health, Healthy Living and Seniors; health regions; and the University of Manitoba

New evaluation participants: health professionals and steering committee members

Initial expectations
What is working well in implementation
Challenges to implementation of this initiative
Supports needed
Changes experienced as a result of PA role at site
Overall evaluation of the experience with implementation of this initiative (probe specifics)
Overall evaluation of the effects of introducing PAs (probe specifics)
Unique aspects of PA role
Advice for Manitoba Health, Healthy Living and Seniors; health regions; and the University of Manitoba

Patient interviews

Satisfaction with care at the clinic or site
Satisfaction with physician care
Satisfaction with PA care
How the experience has changed with introduction of PAs to the site
Specific probes (varied by hospital or clinic focus): effects on access, care, time, etc
Advice on PA use for Manitoba Health, Healthy Living and Seniors and regions

PA—physician assistant.